Agenda

This session will explore the roles and responsibilities of the Operations Section Chief and provide participants with interactive scenario-based situational learning about how to effectively manage the Operations Section in various emergencies including severe weather, fires/explosions, chemical emergencies and more. The role of the Operations Section Chief is a complex one that often requires specific technical knowledge related to the emergency type, and is closely linked with the emergency site. It is a position that experiences significant cross-over between on-site incident command systems and EOC based incident management systems. This session will present various emergency types and work with participants to better understand and manage the transition from the initial response, through the activation of an Emergency Control Group and/or Emergency Operations Centre and demonstrate how an incident progresses and utilizes a scalable IMS model to achieve organized management of the incident. 

Rob Grimwood, City of Mississauga Fire & Emergency Services: Deputy Chief of Training and Technology

Rob has recently joined the City of Mississauga Fire & Emergency Services as Deputy Chief of Training & Technology. Prior to that, Rob was the Deputy Chief of Training, Safety, & Special Operations for the City of Vaughan Fire & Rescue Service. He has been a member of the fire service for the past 26 years, the last 14 of which have been in various senior leadership positions. Prior to joining the City of Vaughan, he was the Fire Chief in the City of Dryden, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and Haldimand County.  He also previously served as a Firefighter with the City of Toronto. He has worked as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant District Chief, Deputy Chief & Fire Chief. He worked as a Paramedic for 20 years and spent nine years as the Paramedic Chief in Haldimand County. He is the Management Co-chair of the Ontario Fire Services Section 21 Committee, an instructor for Dalhousie University’s Fire Service Management Program, and he is the President of the Ontario Association of Fire Chief (OAFC), where he also serves as the Chair of the OAFC Health & Safety Committee. He has been a Community Emergency Management Coordinator for the past 14 years and has worked in various IMS capacities at several different incidents of various types and durations, including as Incident Commander and EOC Commander of many large-scale emergencies.

Steve Armstrong: Leading Through Chaos - Lessons from Fire, Flood, Disease, and War

For more than four decades, Steve worked around the world as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Red Cross. On the literal frontlines for many of the globe’s most notable humanitarian crises during that time – ranging from the shores of Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami, to the aftermath of 9/11 in New York, managing the impact of firestorms – Steve has proven, over and over again, what true leadership means. Faced with complex missions and tasks that required extreme precision and unfailing resolve, Steve learned early on that properly inspiring his teams to act, move, and overcome obstacles would be the key to ongoing success. Rather than force compliance, he used his natural virtue, honour, and trustworthiness to motivate people. This exceedingly “human” side of his character enabled authentic connections and trust – instilling confidence, determination, and encouragement in all who followed his examples. Now, as a speaker, consultant and author of You Can’t Lead From Behind, Steve uses humour, honesty, and a lifetime of hard-learned lessons to tell his story and teach others how to become better and more effective leaders. Though his experience is global, his approach is down-to-earth and genuine, giving you and your leadership team the personalized tools and confidence they need to succeed.